Summary of responses on applications for a supplementary badger disease control licence
Updated 7 June 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/bovine-tb-comment-on-an-application-for-a-supplementary-badger-disease-control-licence-february-2023/outcome/summary-of-responses-on-applications-for-a-supplementary-badger-disease-control-licence
As part of the supplementary badger disease control licence application process, Natural England invited members of the public to provide information on issues that may be relevant to its licensing decision.
Opportunity to Comment period
Natural England has run the Opportunity to Comment (OTC) over the last 10 years in counties across the High, Edge and Low Risk Areas of England where a licence application has been submitted. This opportunity to comment was open from 20 February to 6 March 2023 in the counties of Herefordshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire and Avon.
Public notices were published in the local press and advertised on the GOV.UK website[footnote 1].
Responses to previous OTCs are available at: www.gov.uk/search/policy-papers-and-consultations.
Summary of responses
Natural England has received applications for a supplementary badger disease control licence in 2023 to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis in cattle. This licence is for areas that have completed a 4-year intensive cull. The public were able to comment on how badger control in their area might affect their livelihood or daily activities. The Opportunity to Comment is not used to declare views for or against the Bovine TB policy and responses of this nature were not considered.
Table 1: Summary of responses for each county
| County | Responses received |
|---|---|
| Avon | 4 |
| Hampshire | 3 |
General themes
The following general themes were raised by respondents:
- vaccination (2 responses) - respondents highlighted vaccination as an alternative control method
- ecological impact and humaneness (3 responses) - respondents expressed concerns about the impact on other wildlife species
Respondents also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the policy, value for money, and impact on the spread of bovine tuberculosis. - biosecurity (2 responses) - respondents highlighted need for biosecurity on farms
Conclusion
Natural England will notify applicants of any relevant responses related to their area. Prior to making a licensing decision, it will also take account of relevant mitigation measures that applicants have put in place.